The Most NA-S-TY Hygiene practices During The French Revolution
1. Bathing Was a Rarity
In the late 18th century, bathing was seen as a luxury—if not downright dangerous. Many people believed that water could weaken the body or open the pores to disease, so they avoided it altogether. Aristocrats often went months without bathing, using perfume to cover the stench. The poor, on the other hand, rarely had access to clean water and considered bathing an unnecessary indulgence. Imagine the smell of bodies coated in grime, sweat, and perfume!
2. Chamber Pots & Public Urination
Before modern plumbing, chamber pots were used to relieve oneself indoors. In cities like Paris, the contents of these pots were often dumped straight into the streets, creating filthy, stinking rivers of human waste. Pedestrians had to dodge streams of excrement or risk being splashed with waste from above. Public urination was also common, with people casually relieving themselves in alleyways or corners, adding to the unsanitary conditions.
3. Lice & Fleas Were Constant Companions
Lice and fleas were rampant among all classes during the French Revolution. Since people rarely bathed or washed their clothes, these parasites thrived in dirty clothing, wigs, and bedding. The use of powdered wigs didn’t help, as they became prime habitats for lice. To combat this, people often used lice combs, though that was far from an effective solution. For the most part, people accepted lice and fleas as part of daily life.
4. Rotting Teeth & Horrible Breath
Good luck finding a toothbrush or toothpaste during the French Revolution! Dental hygiene was nearly nonexistent, and most people suffered from rotting teeth and horrendous breath. The wealthy might have had access to rudimentary tooth powders, made from charcoal or crushed bones, but they were ineffective at preventing decay. As a result, toothaches, tooth loss, and foul-smelling breath were rampant.
5. Perfume: The Answer to Everything
With so little emphasis on cleanliness, perfume became the ultimate way to mask body odor. The rich doused themselves in heavy, overpowering scents to cover the smell of sweat, dirt, and unwashed bodies. Aristocrats were known to carry scented handkerchiefs or sachets of herbs to waft in front of their noses to avoid the offensive smells of others. However, no amount of perfume could fully conceal the widespread stench of dirty bodies, streets, and homes.
6. Unwashed Clothing & Filthy Wigs
People rarely washed their clothes, and even if they did, the methods used were harsh and rudimentary. Instead of cleaning garments, many people relied on brushing or airing them out to remove dirt and sweat. Similarly, wigs—which were fashionable among the upper class—were often left unwashed and coated with thick layers of powder to give them a clean appearance. In reality, these wigs were breeding grounds for bacteria and pests.